So, unless I heard wrong the Ironborn who offered to row Theon out to the Sea Bitch introduced himself as Dagmer. If that's supposed to be Cleftjaw I'm a little disappointed. I was hoping to see some cool practical make-up effects for his scars.

Finally caught up with Game of Thrones, and enjoying it like crazy. I read the first book in conjunction with the first season, and noticed that (Martin having worked in TV) it was very televisual to begin with. Thus comparing it to the TV show became all about whether the writers /directors could improve on the original (which has problems, inevitably perhaps, being so long). My conclusion was that the TV show did some bits better (Robert and Cercei), and some bits worse (Lysa Arryn), than the book, so they end up being on a par. And since the TV show takes less time to consume, I decided to read other things.

Can't help wondering, however... how you guys think Game of Thrones Season 2 compares with A Clash of Kings. Was I wrong in my estimation? Is the book actually significantly better than the series?

I have my fingers crossed for the non-canon Dany stuff. For most of CoK she is sitting in the red waste dying, or waiting in the dead city. If the dragon stuff can get halfway to the non-canon Arya/Tywin scenes then I'll be ok. Ygritte was awesome.

@Magnus: There was a quick shot of a large woman having her clothes ripped off and being pulled down, nothing as obvious or brutal as the High Septon's arm.

No, I think it is to give her a stronger reason to go into the Houses of the Undying. In the book, she just kind of goes because she's invited. In the book, there isn't much driving her through Qarth, she's just kind of let in, macked on by Xaro Xhoan Daxos, and invited around to lots of weird things. I actually think the way they've changed the things that drive her from person to person in Qarth to be much better in the show. She's learning how to maneuver for power among much stronger players, with no Khal Drogo to hide behind. She's trying out how to play for strength from a position of weakness.

Have to agree with bill on this one. This makes a bit more sense in the context of the show. Now I'm wondering when we're going to see her in Astapoor. Hopefully she doesn't hang out in Qarth much longer than two or three more episodes.

@Magnusisasillyname, it bothers me too. I'm sorry, but I feel like people don't need to be hit over the head with JOFFREY IS EVIL JOFFREY IS EVIL JOFFREY IS EVIL any more than they already are, and whyyyyyy do they need to give her a stronger reason to go through the houses of the undying? I dunno, I feel like her original reason for

killing ERRYBODY was fine

and didn't need some weird IN CASE YOU THINK THIS ISN'T VALID WE HAVE CHANGED THE PLOT SO IT NOW IS alteration.